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1971-2008
Celebrating 37 years of service to our Members!
 

World Games 2009

Kaohsiung City, Taiwan


We support our troops!

 Operation Iraqi Freedom

BRUCE G. BUTLER
June 23, 1950 – October 28, 2004

Bruce R. ButlerMr. Butler was born and raised in Lima, Ohio until the age of 16, when his family moved to Mesa, Arizona in 1966. Later that year in Phoenix, he began his initial Martial Art training in Ju-Jitsu under Sensei Jim Jones. A short time later, with the approval of his Sensei, he stepped on the mat at the local YMCA to begin his study of Kodokan Judo. After the passing of his Ju-Jitsu instructor, Mr. Butler entered the U.S. Army to pursue his Military Career. While serving in Stuttgart, Germany at the United States European Command Headquarters, Mr. Butler met Sensei Bruce Bethers and helped to establish the Stuttgart Martial Arts School. In 1976, Mr. Butler (as a member of the American Martial Arts Society), earned his 1st Degree Black Belt in the Art of Shihan-Ryu Ju-Jitsu, as well as Shihan-Ryu Karate. While training and teaching in Europe, Mr. Butler was a key leader in helping to organize the European Armed Forces Martial Arts Association. During his five year tour of duty overseas, the EAFMAA held many seminars and tournaments in Germany, France, England and Greece. While serving in Europe, Mr. Butler's competition career included winning several Medals and Awards in International Competition. He also trained many U.S. Soldiers and military dependants while teaching and improving his Martial Arts in Stuttgart, Germany. In April of 1976, Mr. Butler married his wonderful wife Christine, who had been working at Patch Barracks Ski Shop. Shortly after leaving Europe, Mr. Butler also left the Military, moved to San Diego, California, where he continued to pursue the Martial Arts.

In 1981, Mr. Butler provided leadership with the merger of the European Armed Forces Martial Arts Association and the American Martial Arts Society into the United States Martial Arts Association.

After moving to Orange County, Mr. Butler began his study of Shito-Ryu Karate with the Japan Karate Federation, Japan Karate-Do Itosu-Kai under Shihan Fumio Demura. With his various Black Belt level qualifications, Mr. Butler currently teaches in three locations (Mission Viejo, Newport Beach, & Redlands) in southern California. Today, he maintains his training and guidance with Shihan Demura while teaching and promoting Martial Arts which includes Ju-Jitsu under Sensei Bruce Bethers, and the United States Ju-Jitsu Federation.

Mr. Butler passed away on October 28, 2004 after a long battle with cancer. The members and directors of the USJJF expressed our heartfelt condolences to all who knew him and were fortunate to have called him a friend. He is survived by his wife Chris and will be missed by his students and many friends.

Mr. Butler's Martial Arts Organization Service:
  • Board Member, European Armed Forces Martial Arts Association (1974-1976)
  • Regional Director & Board Member, American Martial Arts Society (1976-1981)
  • Regional Director & Board Member, United States Martial Arts Association, USMAA, (1981-1997)
  • Member of the Japan Karate-Do Itosu-Kai / Shito-Ryu (1981 to present)
  • National Co-Director of Shihan-Ryu Ju-Jitsu & Karate (1997 to present)
  • Vice-President of Karate for the Shihan-Ryu Institute of Martial Arts (1997 to present)
  • General Secretary, United States Ju-Jitsu Federation (1999 to September 2001)
  • General Secretary, United States Martial Arts Federation (September 2001 to present)

Mr. Butler's Current Martial Art Ranks:

  • Rokudan, (6th Degree Black Belt) in US Ju-Jitsu, USJJF/JJIF
  • Rokudan, (6th Degree Black Belt) in Shihan-Ryu Ju-Jitsu
  • Rokudan, (6th Degree Black Belt) in Shihan-Ryu Karate
  • Yondan, (4th Degree Black Belt) in Shito-Ryu Karate

Celebrating the life of Bruce G. Butler

 

 


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